• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

Background: Clinical observations and laboratory studies have supported an immune basis for most acquired aplastic anemias, with the majority of patients responding to immunosuppressive therapy. Fas, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily is a critical downregulator of cellular immune responses. Proinflammatory cytokines like interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) and TNF-${\alpha}$ can induce Fas expression and render hematopoietic progenitor cells susceptible to Fas-induced growth suppression and apoptosis. Methods: In order to investigate the involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA), we measured the expression of Fas antigen and caspase-3 on bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNCs) of AA in the presence or absence of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or macrophage inflammatory protein 1-${\alpha}$ (MIP-$1{\alpha}$). Results: We confirmed that AA BM MNCs were more apoptotic and highly expressed Fas antigen than normal donors. Stimulation by IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or MIP-$1{\alpha}$ increased Fas antigen and caspase-3 expression in AA BM MNCs than BM MNCs of normal donors. Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody enhanced IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or MIP$1{\alpha}$ mediated caspase-3 expression in BM MNCs of normal donors. Among these three cytokines, IFN-${\gamma}$ enhanced apoptosis most strongly via Fas-caspase-3 pathway. Conclusion: These results suggest that Fas signal pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of aplastic anemia and negative hematopoietic regulators like IFN-${\gamma}$ can induce apoptosis of bone marrow progenitors in part by Fas induction.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.51-66
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• 2005

Purpose : Investigate the effects of Haeganjeon water extract (HGJ) on immobilization-stress or cold-stress in C57BL/6J mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6J 30 mice of weighting 18${\pm}$2g, were divided into sixs groups including the immobilization-stress group(5heads), after immobilization-stress HGJ oral administration(500mg/kg) groups(5heads), cold-stress group(5heads) and after cold-stress HGJ oral administration(500mg/kg) groups(5heads). then we observed changes in the serum histamine and corticosterone level and changes immune system. Results : HGJ decreased the serum level of histamine and corticosterone increased by immobilization-stress or cold-stress. HGJ inhibited the release of histamine from mast cells. In addition, HGJ enhanced the cell viability of thymocytes decreased by immobilization-stress or cold-stress and decreased DNA fragmentation of thymocytes increased by immobilization- stress or cold-stress. Also, HGJ increased the cell viability of splenocytes decreased by cold-stress and decreased DNA fragmentation of splenocytes increased by cold-stress. HGJ decreased the population of thymic CD4+ cells increased by immobolization-stress. HGJ increased the population of B220+ cells decreased by immobilization-stress and decreased the population of Thy1+ cells increased by immobilization-stress. Also, HGJ decreased the population of splenic CD4+ cells increased by immobolization-stress. HGJ enhanced the production of ${\gamma}-interferon$ decreased by immobilization-stress or cold-stress and increased the production of interleukin-4 decreased by immobilization-stress. Furthermore, HGJ enhanced the phagocytic activity decreased by immobilization-stress or cold-stress and enhanced the level of nitric oxide decreased by immobilization-stress or cold-stress. Conclusion : HGJ may be useful for the prevention and treatment of stress via suppression of serum histamine and corticosterone level and enhancement of immune response.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 1987

The use of alkylating agent cyclophosphamide(CY), a widely used antitumor drug is well known as a potent immunosuppressant and has been used as a probe for investigating the functional capabilities of lymphocyte subsets of both T and B cells that play an important role in the regulation of the immune response. The present study was undertaken in an effort to assess the effects of CY on immunological memory in murine model. CY, given as a single dose of CY(250mg/kg) before sensitization with sheep red blood cells(SRBC) enhanced the primary response of Arthus and delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH), as measured by footpad swelling reaction, but suppressed their tertiary DTH response. The similar CY pretreatment enhanced both the primary and tertiary hemagglutinin(HA) responses to SRBC, and the tertiary antibody response against polyvinylpyrroridone(PVP), a thymus-independent antigen but not the primary response against PVP. CY, given as a single dose of 250mg/kg 2 days before the primary immunization and two doses of 100mg/kg 2 days before the secondary and tertiary immunization, markedly suppressed the tertiary DTH and HA responses to SRBC. However, CY, given as small multiple daily doses(10mg/kg) over 4 days before sensitization but not after sensitization, enhanced the secondary HA response to SRBC. Contact sensitivity to dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB) was suppressed by the drug, given either as a single large dose(300mg/kg) or as multiple dose(10mg/kg) administered 2 days before, together with or after DNFB sensitization. This suppression was more pronounced and more significant when CY was given as multiple dose. However, the enhancement of the secondary contact sensitivity to DNFB by CY was not clear-cut. The splenectomy appears to increase the enhancing effect of CY on contact sensitivity. These results suggest that CY selectively influences the immune response depending on the time of the drug administration relative to immunization and that the secondary or tertiary immune response involve memory cells with different susceptibilities to CY. Moreover, these results suggest that multiple low doses may sesectivley inhibit suppressor T cell proliferation involving DTH, HA or contact sensitivity without effecting helper T cells, but high doses presumably inhibit helper T cells and suppressor T cells with effecting B cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2001

Background: Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes is believed to be important in the development of many human malignancies. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated that the wild type p53 gene located at 17p13.3, may function as a tumor suppressor gene and that a mutant p53 gene could promote transformation by inactivating normal p53 function in a dominant negative fashion. These broad spectrum of p53 mutation in human cancers provide that mutant p53 and their protein may be potential targets of tumor diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Method: Colony formation was performed to investigate growth suppressional ability. p53 expression pattern was examined by western blot and p53-mediated transactivation ability was assessed by CAT activity. SNU C2A cells were observed in apoptotic aspects induced by etoposide and $H_2O_2$ treatment, detecting sensitivity on agent, DNA fragmentation through agarose gel, chromatin condensation by fluorescence microscope, and cell cycle distribution by FACS. Result: 1) p53 mutant his179arg ($histidine{\rightarrow}arginine$) detected in SNU C2A cells lost transcriptional activity and growth suppression ability, showing dominant negative effect on its wild type p53. 2) Etoposide-treated SNU C2A cells induced apoptosis, exhibiting dramatic reduction of cell growth, DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation formation of apoptotic body and increment of sub-G1 cell fraction. 3) Etoposide and $H_2O_2$-treated SNU C2A cells have no high increase of p53 expression and overexpressed p53 protein changed localization, from cytoplasm to nucleus. Also, p53-mediated transcriptional activity was increased by agents-treatment. Conclusion: SNU C2A cells coexpress wild-type and mutant p53 protein induced apoptosis in the condition on DNA damage, through localizational shift from cytoplasm to nucleus of p53 protein rather than the induction of p53 protein. SNU C2A cells derived mutant p53 his179arg abrogated both the growth supression ability and transactivational activity, showing inhibition effect on transcriptional activity of wild type p53, but did not repress the activity of wild type p53 in SNU C2A cells owing to dominant activity of wild type. These cell condition may provide new gene therapeutic implications leading effective antiproliferation of cell when mutant and wild-type p53 protein were co-expressed in cell.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4809-4813
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a representative EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells, used as a tumor model, were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, was also down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated diseases.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 1998

Cyclosporin A(CsA) is a selective immunosuppressive agent that has been credited with improved survival of solid organ allografts. Lymph node of BALB/C mouse administered CsA immunohistochemically observed to understand immunosuppressive effects of CsA on T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and natural killer NK cells in lymph node. CsA orally administered daily for 10days at the dose 45mg/kg/day/. The lymph node were obtained at day 3, 7, and 14 after CsA administration and embedded with paraffin, and then stained by following ABC method that used monoclonal antibody including L3T4(CD4), Ly2(CD8), IL-2R(CD25), and NK-1.1(CD56). There were little changes of reactive degree and number of helper T lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and NK cells at day 3 after CsA administration, but they began to decrease at day 7. These decrease were greatest at day 14. The helper T lymphocytes. cytotoxic T lymphocytes, IL-2 receptors, and NK cells distributed in paracortex and medullary sinus. These results indicated that the secretion of IL-2 began to decrease at day 7 after CsA administration and subsequently to suppress T lymphocytes and NK cell as components of cell-mediated immunity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5117-5121
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.373-390
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• 1998

35 theses conducted in Korea on the topic of senescence or anti-oxidant were classified on the basis of research methods, animals used for the experiments, and research items. Evaluating these research works with respect to the Free Radical Theory, the following conclusions were reached. 1. Of the 17 theses written in the Oriental medicine aspect, three theses used a single herb, nine theses used a complex prescription, four theses concentrated on the usage of the medicinal acupuncture, and one research paper focused on using scientific components. Common objection of these papers were on the verification of the efficacy of herbs. 2. Of the 18 these written in the Western medicine aspect, five theses used a single drug, seven theses conducted a research on the changes due to senescence, and 6 papers were on variety of topics. The main focus of these works were on the mechanism and pathology related to the senescence rather than on the suppression of senescence. 3. Among the theses written in the Oriental medicine perspective, a total of 48 herbs were utilized. 26 of these herbs has a tonification function on the Kidney. Six out of nine complex prescription mentioned above has a function of tonifying the Kidney. 4. With respect to the research subjects used on the experiments, 8 theses have used Senescence-Accelerated mice, 13 theses have used Sprague-Dawley mice, and remaining 7 papers have used human or other animals. 5. These are the categorization of the research items used: the weight (11) and weight changes of the visceral organs (9), the measurement of the content of peroxide-disease (9), the measurement of enzyme vitality (21), the blood and urine test (10), the experiment concerning immune system (3), the influence on the hepatic capability of metabolizing foreign substance (3), the effect on hepatic cell protection (3), the measurement of both the suppression of Free Radical and ability to create Free Radical (2), the measurement of effect of suppresing MDA(malondialdehyde) (4), the effect of eliminating DPPH Radical (2), and experiements about the functions (2). 6. The rate of vitalization of well known anti-oxidants such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Protein-bound SH, Nonprotein-bound SH, Glutathione(GSH), Catalase, and etc. were tested in 17 theses. Considering the conclusions mentioned above, the theses related to the senescence published in Korea elected different animals used for experiments, research items and the methods of research, the end result seems to be a lack of objectivity. Thus, I would argue that research methods to overcome such a deficiency need to be developed systematically.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.263-278
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to research trends in the study of breast cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and to establish the further direction for its study. Methods: We reviewed TCM papers published in the last 29 years (1979-2008). Results: 1. We researched 49 papers and the patterns of study were as follows: in vitro studies were 27 papers (55.1%), in vivo studies were 9 papers (18.4%) and clinical studies were 19 papers (38.8%). 2. In vitro studies on breast cancer research in TCM were focused on cytotoxicity (17 papers) and apoptosis (8 papers). Most of in vivo studies (6 papers) were done for the purpose of inducing growth suppression of tumor cell after administration of the test drug. Each drug acted on this effect through various types of mechanism. 3. Unlike in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical studies on growth suppression of tumor cell were rare (4 papers). Most of the studies were focused on reduction of side effect of chemotherapy or synergistic effect with chemotherapy (7 papers), immune regulation (7 papers), and improvement of quality of life (6 papers). 4. Among the treatment method we reviewed, 'Runing Ⅱ(Ⅱ號方)' was the only medication that further studied as clinical trial after experimental study. 5. Since almost all studies have defects like poorly designed model or insufficient data description, it was difficult to make any definite conclusion about these studies. Conclusion: More subsequent clinical studies based on experimental study will be needed afterwards. Strict and high-level study design with detailed description will be needed in further study.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1327-1336
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• 2019

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow (BM)-derived progenitor cells that can differentiate into mature endothelial cells, contributing to vasculogenesis in the blood vessel formation process. Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) belongs to the Runt domain family and is required for the differentiation of specific immune cells and neurons. The tumor suppressive role of RUNX3, via the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a variety of cancers, and its deletion or frequent silencing by epigenetic mechanisms have been studied extensively; however, its role in the differentiation of EPCs is yet to be investigated. Therefore, in the present study, adult BM-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were isolated from Runx3 heterozygous (Rx3^+/-) or wild-type (WT) mice. The differentiation of EPCs from the BM-derived HSCs of Rx3^+/- mice was found to be significantly increased compared with those of the WT mice, as determined by the number of small or large colony-forming units. The migration and tube formation abilities of Rx3^+/- EPCs were also observed to be significantly increased compared with those of WT EPCs. Furthermore, the number of circulating EPCs, defined as CD34⁺/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)⁺ cells, was also significantly increased in Rx3^+/- mice. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α was upregulated in Rx3^+/- EPCs compared with WT EPCs, even under normoxic conditions. Furthermore, in a hindlimb ischemic mouse models, the recovery of blood flow was observed to be highly stimulated in Rx3^+/- mice compared with WT mice. Also, in a Lewis lung carcinoma cell allograft model, the tumor size in Rx3^+/- mice was significantly larger than that in WT mice, and the EPC cell population (CD34⁺/VEGFR2⁺ cells) recruited to the tumor was greater in the Rx3^+/- mice compared with the WT mice. In conclusion, the present study revealed that Runx3 inhibits vasculogenesis via the inhibition of EPC differentiation and functions via the suppression of HIF-1α activity.